<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM METRON
TECHNOLOGY N.V. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BLALANCE SHEETS, AND CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAY-31-2001
<PERIOD-START> JUN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> AUG-31-2000
<CASH> 20,971
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 87,906
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 43,976
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 164,003
<PP&E> 13,298
<DEPRECIATION> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 189,306
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 109,582
<BONDS> 1,205
0
0
<COMMON> 40,217
<OTHER-SE> 36,043
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 76,260
<SALES> 121,004
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 121,004
<CGS> 98,983
<TOTAL-COSTS> 98,983
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 15,894
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 313
<INCOME-PRETAX> 6,075
<INCOME-TAX> 2,423
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 3,652
<NET-INCOME> 0
<EPS-BASIC> 0.28
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.26
</TABLE>